Challenging Anti-DEI Legislation: Insights from a Certified Diversity Professional
Advocacy Melissa Vela-Williamson Advocacy Melissa Vela-Williamson

Challenging Anti-DEI Legislation: Insights from a Certified Diversity Professional

You’ve probably heard that Texas and other states, like Florida and Oklahoma, are banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in public higher education. Much of the public has shared upset since DEI efforts had been recommitted to in recent years. As a Certified Diversity Professional and holder of a CompassionateUSA Certification, I try to consider what role the PR professional and communicators can have in situations like this.

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Critical Components of a Public Relations Plan
Business Communication, Advice, Business Tips, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson Business Communication, Advice, Business Tips, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson

Critical Components of a Public Relations Plan

Developing a public relations plan involves strategic thinking and following a systematic planning process. Let’s break down some critical but confusing parts of a PR plan: goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics.

Understanding how each of these plan components intersect, rely on each other and have their own role will help you build stronger, more measurable plans.

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How Puzzles Help with PR Planning
Public Relations, Business Communication, Advice Melissa Vela-Williamson Public Relations, Business Communication, Advice Melissa Vela-Williamson

How Puzzles Help with PR Planning

We jumped on the puzzle trend at my home during the pandemic to find a way to keep our kids off screens during “bored” times. Here’s what I imagined -- opening a fresh cardboard-scented puzzle box brings a surge of excitement and anticipation of a new adventure. My reality -- we opened the box and looked at all the pieces and I immediately felt overwhelmed. That overwhelmed/puzzled/anxious/hopeful feeling was familiar. It’s the same feeling I get when starting the strategic communication planning process.

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Five Ways to Increase Your Relationship ROI
Getting Ahead Melissa Vela-Williamson Getting Ahead Melissa Vela-Williamson

Five Ways to Increase Your Relationship ROI

One of the fastest ways to get ahead is learning from others’ lessons. I'm grateful to leaders like Nely Galan who are honest about the decades it took them to become an overnight success. It's a gift when we can avoid pitfalls, work smarter and navigate our career paths in ways that are a little less painful. What inspires someone to be candid and vulnerable enough to share a game-changing story with you? Your relationship.

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